Oyerinde: DPP exonerates Ugolor, others

Security agencies might not have arrested the killers of the Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde following the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions to the Oredo Magistrate Court.

Chief Magistrate Francis Idiake had on August 31 ordered that the police case file on the suspects arrested in connection to the murder of late Oyerinde be sent to the DPP for advice.

The DPP in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police and dated October 29 said two of the suspects, Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman, have been in police custody since April 24 for unlawful possession of cartridges.

It said FCID interrogated the suspects who later confessed to the murder of Olaitan that took place on May 4.

This, it said was “evidently incongruous.”

The DPP in the letter signed by Ade Irehovbude said the cut to size gun and one cartridge the suspects confirmed was used for the operation at Olaitan’s residence was recovered on April 24 by the Esigie Police Division.

The letter said, “This is alleged to be a weapon used during the robbery incident that took place on May 4, 2012. Another incongruity. Could a weapon recovered and in possession of the police be confirmed by suspects to have been used for the commission of the offence?”

The DPP, however, advised that a prima facie case of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and murder be made against Garba Usman Maismari, Auta Umaru Ali, Moses Asamah Okoro and Usman Adamu who confessed to the crime.

It also said a prima facie case of receiving stolen property be made against Hassan Aliyu Babete and Idris Adulhamid who both made confessional statements.

On Rev. David Ugolor, the DPP said no prima facie is made against him and ordered him to be released if still in custody.

It said the confession of an accused person was not admissible evidence against a co-accused.

Responding, Rev Ugolor said the police had no reason for arresting him apart from Maismari’s evidence which was used to frame him up.

He said, “We have come to a glorious end of the battle to enthrone justice in my case and I thank God almighty who used great citizens to fight oppression in this country.